How to Help Child Overcome Fear

The first step to overcome anxiety is by refusing to let fear take over (anxiety needs you to be scared). The second step, as Jody pointed out, is by taking action.

Let’s go over a few ways to take action.

Move Your Body

This could be anything from going on a jog or walk to doing yoga. When stress hits, you have this rush of adrenaline and your body is primed for fight or flight. So put that rush of adrenaline to good use and move your body. Moving will decrease those stress hormones and restore calmness.

Do Something Creative

Is your kid feeling anxious? Have them to start planning out or diving into a creative project that they’ve been thinking about. It could be a video that they’ve been thinking about creating or craft project. Not sure what to do? Jump on Pinterest to come up with some ideas.

The reason this works is because creativity uses the part of the brain that keeps you anxious. So if you’re using your brain for problem solving on a creative project, you won’t leave any room for anxiety to take over.

Get Your Kid Laughing

Laughter and anxiety can’t share the same space, so if your child is feeling anxious, try putting on a funny movie that you know he or she loves. Or just turn on YouTube and watch some funny videos together. Laughter is sure to help the anxiety pass quickly… and put everyone in a happier state of mind!

Connect with Someone

Jodi has shared that one thing anxiety does well is isolate us, making us feel like we’re the ONLY ONE with this particular struggle. But the reality is that we ALL struggle with fears.

If your child is having a hard time, suggest that they spend some time and talk with a close friend. Talking about your fears (even with just a beloved pet) can help us get new perspective on our fears. Talking about anything – really – can help take attention away from what’s bothering us.

Final Thoughts on How to Help Your Child Overcome Fear

As Jodi Aman explains, there are two steps for overcoming anxiety in minutes. First, you have to understand that anxiety needs you to be afraid of it, so just choosing to not be fearful is a very important first step.

Next, your child needs to take some kind of action to put that rush of adrenaline to good use. Some ideas you can try include:

Moving your body (this could mean jumping around singing and dancing, going on a walk or jog, or anything to move)

Doing something creative

Laughing out loud

Connecting with someone

Let us know how these work with your own kids and what they do to take action! Leave us a comment below.